After his catastrophic crash in December 2022, India wicketkeeper batter and regular captain of Delhi Rishabh Pant made his maiden public appearance. In the Indian T20 League 2023, Pant, who has been rehabilitating from his injuries, was spotted supporting his team during Delhi’s opening home game.
During the team’s second game of the Indian T20 League, Pant arrived at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Delhi used two alternatives in their first two games after scrambling through their ranks to locate a wicketkeeper-batter in Pant’s absence. In the second game, Abhishek Porel debuted, while Sarfaraz Khan was given a chance in the first.
In an exclusive video obtained by India Today, Pant is seen driving an SUV towards the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Pant manoeuvred towards the stadium’s seating area using crutches. He was welcomed by the crowd at the stadium while sporting a white t-shirt and black sunglasses.
‘RP 17, We miss you’ – Delhi fans bring out special banner for Rishabh Pant
As he recuperates from his numerous wounds following a nearly deadly car accident in December, Pant had extensive strapping on his legs. Interestingly, the Delhi Capitals supporters also raised a unique flag in honour of their skipper.”RP 17, We miss you,” the banner read.
Since knee surgery in Mumbai, Pant has posted pictures of his recovery and can be seen steadily improving. If Delhi Capitals Director of Cricket Sourav Ganguly is to be believed, the Indian keeper-batter won’t be able to play cricket again for quite some time.
With news that Pant would be sidelined for the ITL 2023 season, David Warner was selected as Delhi’s captain. As a replacement for Rishabh Pant, the Delhi franchise have recruited Abhishek Porel, a young wicketkeeper from Bengal.
Due to the severity of the injuries he sustained in the automobile incident, Pant will likely be sidelined for a long time. The India star missed the crucial home series against Australia. Warner had earlier advised Pant to heal from his injury by going “slow and easy.” The Australian added that Pant will “do his best to come” to the games and still wants to assist Delhi in the ITL 2023 “as much as he can.”
Here’s how fans reacted:
Who invited that elephant
— Coach ????????????? (@CoachDruvid) April 4, 2023
Looks fitter than Rohit sharma even after having not played for so long ??
— Daksh (@82MCG_) April 4, 2023
Bhai Ghar Mai rest kar,idhar match dekhta dekhta agar ball lag gaya toh ??
— KRISHNA? (@KrishnaVK_18) April 4, 2023
Delhi should at least deliver a cracker of a game for Rishabh Pant’s efforts to come to ground and support his teammates pic.twitter.com/T3T8yZcVM0
— Abhi (@abhi_is_online) April 4, 2023
Bhai dugout mai mat jana , tujhe hi taang denge .
— MAHIYANK ™ (@Mahiyank_78) April 4, 2023
Prithvi shaw??? pic.twitter.com/muy3bFqKRN
— * (@KenzievGautam18) April 4, 2023
— Rishabh Pandey (@RAVINDU_PANDEY) April 4, 2023
Speedy recovery for you Champ ???
— ? ???????? (@ILY_Kohli) April 4, 2023
